Chrysler has had a lot of success with their “Imported from Detroit” commercials that feature Eminem and the infamous “Half-Time in America” ads with Clint Eastwood. As popular as these as ads have been, another commercial has actually been more important according to the heads of Chrysler. That honor belongs to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a commercial that debuted in 2010.

The Detroit Free Press highlights interviews with the Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, as well as John Jay, the global executive creative direction for Wieden + Kennedy. In it, they both came to the conclusion that the commercial for the Grand Cherokee was the beginning of a new chapter for not only the products the company was making, but also their marketing.

“The Jeep was a turning point for Chrysler and was when our working relationship and creative work moved to a next level, “ says Jay. “There was so much at stake for that car to prove there was a new Chrysler in its devotion to product quality.”

The reasoning behind Marchionne’s thinking was that it was very important to let the public know that things were going to be very different with Chrysler after the bankruptcy, and different in a good way. This mindset even led him to delaying the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee to make sure that everything was handled right and the launch would go off without a hitch. It was a decision that would cost the company millions, but Marchionne believes it was the right choice.

“That was a turning point because it was the first car coming out of the company since its bankruptcy and we tweaked that commercial until the very end,” says Marchionne.

Take a look at the commercial for yourself and see if you believe that it was the best choice of rebirth for the company.

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